INTRODUCTION
In parts one, two and three of this four-part blog series on modern data management, we outlined a way to develop an overarching data strategy addressing the following questions:
- How does your organization utilize incoming data?
- How should your organization perform discovery activities to get an accurate view of data assets?
- How can your organization implement your data management plan to transform assets to a desired state in a modern cloud environment?
The fourth and final part of this blog series looks at monitoring your data platform after completing the strategy, discovery and implementation phases.
Phase Four: Monitor
After developing your strategy, implementing your platform and plan and discovering the key data indicators, an organization must monitor its data management processes and data assets to maintain quality. This includes adhering to applicable regulations and providing for any future audits. Developing these data-related processes and strengthening your organization’s data culture is critical to continued transformation toward your desired state.
Activities
Build data quality and privacy monitoring dashboards
Work with your data management leaders to develop easily accessible dashboards that allow your data stewards to monitor existing data and accept, reject or flag incoming data. Doing so will ensure your organizational data standards identified in previous phases are being met.
Set up alerts
Quality control is crucial to continued data monitoring. As part of your data management platform, creating automated alerts for anomalies, specific data detections and possible threats to your system will assist with quality assurance.
Determine communication pipeline
Your organizational structure should determine who should know about and approve data changes. These data stewards will act as first responders to data-related alerts- analyzing the situation and communicating the information to data engineers for intervention and remediation, when necessary.
Conduct routine employee training
Systems change, companies hire, people grow and move into other positions, so you should anticipate ongoing training needs. Providing recurring training ensures consistent data management is practiced at all levels throughout the organization, even after significant change. Teach and reteach the overall strategy, processes and communication pipelines regularly with your data management team.
Build a data culture
Your data management team matters. Without a complete understanding of processes and buy-in across the organization, your data management platform will not be successful in the long-term. Grow a culture of championing your data management processes as well as continual education and process improvement.
Set up a regular assessment cadence
Data management is an evergreen practice. Your organization will constantly be gathering and using incoming data. Just like a vehicle requires periodic tune-ups, your data management program should be proactively assessed at regular intervals to ensure optimal performance. Schedule your next assessment with the 27Global team to stay on top of the changing landscape of data management.
Deliverables
With appropriate monitoring, you should be able to:
- Consistently measure data quality
- Provide metrics from dashboards
- Create a proactive assessment schedule
- Deploy user training materials
- Conduct change management training and provide guidelines
Conclusion
Through the course of our four-part blog series, we’ve identified the foundational elements and key considerations for any organization looking to implement and/or develop its own, modern data management program.
Our team members are experts in developing unique platforms for businesses to manage their data in a modern, effective and evolving way at scale. Whether your organization needs assistance implementing a net-new data management program, or guidance on developing your existing practice, we’re equipped to help you get there.
Contact us todaySun Jang is a Principal Architect at 27Global. Founded in 2008, 27Global designs, builds, and operates technology solutions for businesses of all sizes. The perfect pairing of a local leadership with offshore pricing, 27Global has the business acumen to understand your vision and the expertise to build your technology solution. To learn more, visit 27global.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
